His stagename stemmed from his large ears, which led to the nickname Dumbo in his youth. "Ele" started out his musical career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew, later continuing as a solo artist. He was later characterized for several trademarks, such as his yellow-orange hair, his unique low-key voice, or his stage performance, which included excessive jumping and running, or even climbing on stage props and monitors. His acoustic trademark is marked by a light lisp.
The first international recognition came when Elephant Man and Puma settled a contract for using his single "All Out" for their Olympics commercial campaign in 2004.
Elephant Man has been widely criticised for his lyrics calling for violence against gay people. In 2003 British LBGT group OutRage! called for the arrest and prosecution of several dancehall stars including Elephant Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man for violation of hate crimes statutes [1]
Elephant Man also had a song called "Willie Bounce" that appeared on several Mixtapes in early 2006. It borrowed the first few bars from I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
Recently, the Jamaican star has been signed to New York-based label Bad Boy Entertainment.
Dance and Sweep
Elephant Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Music is di appropriate something
Stephen beat dem got everybody jumping
Banging up di club it's a total fun ting
Start to dance when yuh hear di beat tumping
Music is di appropriate something
Ba-ba-banging up di club it's a total fun ting
(1, 2, 3, 4, now)
Start to dance when yuh hear di beat tumping
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem
Me see Ravers run out and a do di swagga, swagga
Ragga round di corner wid a gyal like wagga, wagga
From dem seh dancing style we have a bag a
We a dance from we a tiny tot like Spragga
(Sweep)
Everybody a dance including Obama
Even di First Lady, Michelle, him baby mama
Peace time, put down di K nuh Osama
Sweep di rubbish up inna corner, no more drama
(Dance)
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem
This beat got me dancing, sweeping di floor till it shine
Everybody keep on asking if I'm losing my mind
Dancing non-stopping so till mi two shoes dem crying
And tomorrow we'll be doing it same place and same time
(Dance)
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem
Tru dem seh yuh young and fit deh inna yuh prime
Everybody start sweep caz a dancing time
(Sweep)
Sweep weh di dance dem weh causing crime
Use yuh foot dem like a broom, sweep di blasted slime
Stephen, how da beat yah bad soh, dem cya refuse
Up inna club a soh it have everybody a move
Longs a sweep soh till him lost one foot a shoes
Try come out di way wen unu see di ship a cruise
(Everybody dance)
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem
Dance, sweep, dance, sweep, dance, sweep
Everybody, everybody
Dance, sweep, dance, sweep, dance, sweep
Everybody, everybody
Dance, sweep, dance, sweep, dance, sweep
Everybody, everybody
Dance, sweep, dance, sweep, dance, sweep
Everybody, everybody
(Dance)
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem
The song 'Dance and Sweep' by Elephant Man is all about having fun and dancing to the beat of the music, particularly the beat created by Stephen, a popular Jamaican music producer. The lyrics encourage people to dance and enjoy the music, and to sweep away any negativity or rubbish in their lives.
The song starts with Elephant Man praising the power of music and how Stephen's beats are making everyone move and jump in the club. The chorus encourages people to dance and sweep away any rubbish they may encounter in their lives. Even Barack Obama and his first lady, Michelle, are shown dancing and enjoying the music.
The verses also include some humorous and catchy lines, such as "longs a sweep soh till him lost one foot a shoes" and "dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh."
Overall, the song is a fun and upbeat dance anthem that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Music is di appropriate something
The appropriateness of music cannot be understated
Stephen beat dem got everybody jumping
Stephen's style of music has gotten everyone jumping
Ba-ba-banging up di club it's a total fun ting
The club is very lively thanks to the music
(1, 2, 3, 4, now) Start to dance when yuh hear di beat tumping
As soon as the music starts, start dancing
Everybody dance and sweep dem weh
Everyone should dance and sweep away the garbage
Nuh wah see nuh baygon soh eat dem weh
Nobody wants to see any bugs, so sweep them away
Dem deh, dem a rubbish soh we sweep dem weh
Those things are rubbish, so we must sweep them away
Me see Ravers run out and a do di swagga, swagga
I saw the Ravers dancing with style and swagger
Ragga round di corner wid a gyal like wagga, wagga
There's reggae around the corner with a girl looking good
From dem seh dancing style we have a bag a
Our dancing style is highly regarded
We a dance from we a tiny tot like Spragga
We've been dancing since we were young, like Spragga
(Sweep)
Keep sweeping
Everybody a dance including Obama
Even Obama is dancing
Even di First Lady, Michelle, him baby mama
Even Michelle, his wife, is dancing
Peace time, put down di K nuh Osama
It's time for peace, put down your guns, Osama
Sweep di rubbish up inna corner, no more drama
Sweep the rubbish into the corner, and avoid any drama
This beat got me dancing, sweeping di floor till it shine
This beat has me dancing and sweeping the floor until it shines
Everybody keep on asking if I'm losing my mind
People keep wondering if I'm crazy for dancing so much
Dancing non-stopping so till mi two shoes dem crying
I'm dancing non-stop until my shoes are crying
And tomorrow we'll be doing it same place and same time
Tomorrow we'll be doing the same thing in the same place and time
Tru dem seh yuh young and fit deh inna yuh prime
They say you're young and at your best
Everybody start sweep caz a dancing time
Everyone's sweeping because it's dancing time
(Sweep) Sweep weh di dance dem weh causing crime
Sweep away the dances that cause trouble
Use yuh foot dem like a broom, sweep di blasted slime
Use your feet as a broom to sweep away the filth
Stephen, how da beat yah bad soh, dem cya refuse
Stephen's beat is so good they can't refuse it
Up inna club a soh it have everybody a move
Everyone in the club is moved by the music
Longs a sweep soh till him lost one foot a shoes
He's been sweeping so long, he's lost one of his shoes
Try come out di way wen unu see di ship a cruise
Get out of the way when you see the ship is cruising
(Everybody dance)
Everybody should dance
Dance, sweep, dance, sweep, dance, sweep
Dance then sweep, dance then sweep
Everybody, everybody
Everyone should participate
Contributed by Christopher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stimfi3nda
For some reason Elephant Man´s music always makes me smile
@jonnyzaldivar3012
Wicked! I love it
@christophertamirepi2287
Elephant man to the world ❤️
@MrPlayDay
OMFG BEAUTIFUL SONG
@user-zg4eu4zo2u
very cool song!
@BigBang563345
einfach geil! :)
@realgee6265
legend
@timo93
Best Song!! =)
@Fl4sHiii
Verdammt geil :)
@hugogarciabernal1057
Que grande gerard